What is a Nain Rug? Meaning and Definition
A Nain rug is a type of Persian rug that originates from the city of Nain in central Iran. Known for its fine craftsmanship, Nain rugs are distinguished by their intricate patterns, light color palettes, and high-quality materials such as wool and silk. Nain rugs often feature floral motifs, medallions, and arabesques, making them a symbol of luxury and elegance.
Key Characteristics of a Nain Rug
| Characteristic | Description | Typical Value/Range |
| Knot Density (KPSI) | High knot density, typically between 300 and 700 KPSI, contributing to the rug's fine detail and durability | 250-700 KPSI |
| Material | Made from high-quality wool and silk, often featuring silk in intricate parts of the design | Wool and silk combination |
| Color Palette | Predominantly soft, neutral colors such as ivory, cream, light blue, and beige | Light colors (Ivory, beige, light blue) |
| Design | Intricate floral motifs and central medallions, often with arabesque patterns | Floral and medallion motifs |
| Origin | Woven in Nain, a city in central Iran, known for its luxury Persian rugs | Nain, Central Iran |
Nain Rugs Category
The Nain rugs is divided into three main catergory based on the La system, which refers to the number of threads in each fringe of the rug. This system is crucial in determining the rug’s fineness:
4 La Nain Rugs: The finest category, featuring very high knot density (up to 700 KPSI) and the most intricate designs. These rugs are usually made with a significant amount of silk.
6 La Nain Rugs: The most common category, offering a balance of high-quality craftsmanship with a knot density between 400 and 600 KPSI. These rugs are durable and luxurious, often used for home decor.
9 La Nain Rugs: The coarsest category with a knot density of 300-400 KPSI, still made with high-quality materials but less intricate than 4 or 6 La rugs.
These categories help differentiate the quality of the rug, with 4 La being the most luxurious and intricate, and 9 La being more affordable but still high-quality.
Nain Rugs History
The history of Nain rugs can be broken down into the following key developments:
Location and Historical Background: Nain is situated near the Dasht-e-Kavir desert, approximately 200 km east of Isfahan. The city has a historical reputation for producing fine textiles before the rug industry took off in the 1930s.
Shift from Textiles to Rugs: As the wool textile industry declined after World War II, Nain artisans transitioned to rug weaving, applying their expertise in woolen fabrics to create high-quality rugs.
Influence from Isfahan Rugs: Nain rugs were influenced by the intricate designs of Isfahan rugs, incorporating similar floral and medallion motifs but with their own unique style, such as a lighter color palette and higher use of silk.
Recognition in the 1950s: By the 1950s, Nain had established itself as a center for high-quality rug production, often compared to Isfahan rugs for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Nain Rug Value
The value of Nain rugs is determined by several factors, including their material quality, knot density, craftsmanship, and overall condition. The term "La" is used to categorize Nain rugs based on their intricacy and quality. A lower "La" number signifies a higher-quality rug with a greater knot density. Common classifications include:
Nain Rug Classifications and Values in Euros
| Nain Rug Type | Knot Density (knots/sqm) | Typical Price Range (EUR) | Material Quality |
| 4La | >700,000 | €9,000 - €27,000+ | Exclusive (silk/wool) |
| 6La | 300,000 - 500,000 | €2,700 - €9,000 | Extra fine (wool) |
| 9La | 200,000 - 300,000 | €1,350 - €4,500 | Good quality (wool) |